Sex trafficking arrests in South Dakota include 2 Iowans

Five men, including two Iowans, are facing charges following an undercover sex trafficking operation in South Dakota. The South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force conducted an online operation to identify people who attempt to buy sex acts with children.

Five people were indicted, including a couple of men from northwest Iowa; 27-year-old Nathanuel Downs of Sioux City and 29-year-old Lance Hunter, Jr. of Little Rock. Both men have pleaded not guilty to attempted commercial sex trafficking in federal court in South Dakota. The crime carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The other men facing charges in the case are 26-year-old Jose Oxlaj of Guatemala, and 25-year-old Benjamin Iverson and 29-year-old Scott Larson, both of Sioux Falls.